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Middle Eastern Rock Band Juliana Down Named Audi Brand Ambassadors

Dubai, May 29, 2012 – Premium car manufacturer Audi has officially announced Dubai-based rock band Juliana Down as brand ambassadors for the Middle East.

Juliana Down became the first band from the Middle East region to sign with a major record label, Sony Music Middle East, and have supported high profile acts such as Guns N’ Roses, Muse and Maroon 5. The band wrote the official anthem for the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens and their current album ‘Empires’ shot to number 3 in the Virgin sales charts in its first week of release.

The band will now be heavily involved in the launch of Audi’s latest compact SUV model, the Q3. After performing live at its regional premiere at the Dubai Motor Show in November last year, Juliana Down provided the official soundtrack for the SUV’s TV commercial based on their popular anthem ‘Control’. The band also features in the accompanying print advertising campaign. Further performances for Audi customers and fans are planned.

Jeff Mannering, Managing Director of Audi Middle East, said of the announcement:

“Juliana Down has its roots and soul in the Middle East. Not only do we love to support regional talent, but their international sound and genuine talent reflects the personality of our Q3 and connects with our customers.”

The band has just returned from Hollywood, CA, after performing at the 2012 MUSEXPO, one of the world’s most prestigious music conferences which has previously seen breakthrough appearances by Katy Perry, LMFAO and Jessy J. On their way to success Juliana Down will now drive Audi Q3. More info on the band can be found on www.julianadown.net or www.facebook.com/julianadown.

About Audi

The Audi Group delivered around 1,302,659 cars of the Audi brand to customers in 2011. In 2011 the Company posted revenue of €44.1 billion and an operating profit of €5.3 billion. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Győr (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). The Audi Q7 is built in Bratislava (Slovakia). In July 2010, CKD production of the Audi Q5 was added to the existing Audi A4 and A6 manufacturing operations in Aurangabad (India). At the Brussels plant, production of the Audi A1 has been running since May 2010, while production of the new A1 Sportback began in 2012. The Audi Q3 has been built in Martorell (Spain) since June 2011. The Company is active in more than 100 markets worldwide. AUDI AG’s wholly owned subsidiaries include AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft., Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A. in Sant’Agata Bolognese (Italy), AUDI BRUSSELS S.A./N.V. in Brussels (Belgium) and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Subject to a positive decision by the responsible competition authorities, the Italian sports motorcycle manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. will also belong to the Audi Group. Audi currently employs around 64,000 people worldwide, including around 48,000 in Germany. Between 2012 and 2016 the brand with the four rings is planning to invest more than €13 billion – mainly in new products, human resources and the extension of production capacities – in order to sustain the Company’s technological lead embodied in its “Vorsprung durch Technik” slogan. Audi is currently expanding its site in Győr (Hungary) and will start production in Foshan (China) in late 2013 and in Mexico from 2016.

Audi has long been fulfilling its social responsibility on many levels – with the aim of making the future worth living for generations to come. The basis for Audi’s lasting success is therefore formed by environmental protection, the conservation of resources, international competitiveness and a forward-looking human resources policy. One example of AUDI AG’s commitment to environmental issues is the newly established Audi Environmental Foundation. Under the heading of “Audi balanced mobility,” the Company is directing its activities toward a major goal – comprehensive CO2-neutral mobility.

AUDI AG’s commitment to the region was confirmed through the foundation of its fully owned subsidiary in 2005. The current Middle East model range comprises the Audi A1, A3 Sportback and A4, the A5 Coupe, Sportback and Cabriolet as well as the RS 5, the A6, A7 and A8 L, the Q5 and Q7, the TT Coupe/Roadster and TT RS Coupe, the R8, R8 V10, R8 Spyder V10 as well as R8 GT and R8 GT Spyder.

About Juliana DownJuliana Down (JD) is a Dubai based rock band that has begun to make significant headway both in the Middle East and internationally. The band’s members, who are all long term UAE residents, include; Lebanese born Dia Hassan on Vocals & Guitar, Sari Ramadan (Guitars), who was raised in the UAE, as well as James Sinclair (Drums) and Andrew Gibson (Bass), both originally from the UK.

In March 2011 JD became the first band from the Middle East to sign a deal with a major record label (Sony Music Middle East). In April 2011 the band released the album ‘Empires’, which climbed to number 3 in Virgin sales charts in the UAE and continues to sell well.

The band has opened for a number of ‘A list’ artists including; Guns N’Roses, Muse and Maroon 5 as well as playing a number of headline gigs around the region. JD has played to over 75,000 people in the last 12 months. JD is one of the most requested artists on radio stations in Dubai. The band has released 4 singles in the last 18 months, all of which are still on rotation. In November 2011, the band licensed a track to Emirates Airline for use as the official anthem at the biggest sporting event in the Middle East, the Dubai Rugby Sevens. In April 2012 the band was specially invited to showcase their material at MUSEXPO and the Worldwide Radio Summit in Hollywood, CA. These events have previously helped to launch the careers of Katy Perry, LMFAO, Temper Trap and Jessy J.